The group Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula recently won a massive judgement against Peninsula Township.
This prompted a headline in the Wall Street Journal that read, “A Michigan Town Clamped Down on Its Wineries. Now It Owes Them $49 Million.”
A federal judge awarded that money to 11 wineries who sued the township saying that zoning restrictions had cost them big business in the form of events and other means.
Some 6,068 residents live on the peninsula.
The township has insurance, but it’s unclear how much they’ll pay, meaning township residents could be on the hook for the wineries' lawsuit.
Local, regional and national media outlets have made this small-town northern Michigan story larger than life. But there has been one thing missing from their coverage – the voice of the people.
The Old Mission Gazette, a small independent newspaper funded by township businesses and residents has provided extensive coverage of the lawsuit. Their ‘Opinion’ section has provided a place for residents to air their grievances.
But what about the people who don’t send letters into their local newspaper? What does the average Peninsula Township resident think about the lawsuit?
“It would be hard to find a person who is in favor of the $50 million lawsuit,” said resident Glen MacPherson. “The only differences in opinion you’ll find is who to blame.”
Depending on who you talk to, blame either rests on the wineries for forcing their neighbors to pay for lost revenue, or on the township board for supporting and enforcing oppressive ordinances.
Yvette Babin-Ringsmuth is another Peninsula Township resident. Her property borders both a winery and her fellow community members. She sees the vitriol circulating in her neighborhood as a microcosm of the whole nation.
“The answer to most things is somewhere in the middle,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that people get so riled up about it. I understand why, but I think it would behoove all of us to remember to listen to both sides.”
No one has received a $49 million bill yet. The ruling has been appealed by both the wineries and the township.
Meanwhile, the peninsula’s residents continue to get tossed between the waves while the wineries and the township board jockey for position.
